DNA links Kelso man to 2000 killing, may clear victim’s son

LONGVIEW, Wash. — New DNA testing has linked a Kelso man to the murder of his aunt 15 years ago — and could exonerate the victim’s son, who is serving life in prison for the crime.

Longview police arrested Brian Del Kitts, 42, on Tuesday for investigation of first-degree murder in the death of Sharon Cox in 2000, The Daily News reported. Evidence suggested she was strangled and struck with a blunt object.

Cox’s son, Donovan Allen, was 18 and found his mother in a pool of blood. He gave police a confession after 14 hours of overnight interrogation. Though he later recanted, he was convicted of aggravated first-degree murder at his second trial in 2002 and is serving life without parole.

The Innocence Project Northwest at the University of Washington Law School requested the new DNA testing — with technology that is far more sensitive than was available back then — last spring in an effort to exonerate Allen. Policy director Lara Zarowsky told The Associated Press on Wednesday that prosecutors never suggested during Allen’s trials that more than one person may have been responsible, the new testing excludes Allen as a suspect, and Allen should be freed from prison.

A hearing in Allen’s case has been set for Dec. 22, but the organization said it hopes the Cowlitz County prosecutor’s office will agree sooner to his release.

“Any additional time he has to spend in prison for the murder of his mother is a tragedy,” Zarowsky said. “To us, this is a clear case of wrongful conviction.”

For now, Longview police say they don’t see it that way.

“At this point the charges are still standing (against Allen),” Detective Sgt. Chris Blanchard told The Daily News. “We view this as a second suspect, not as an exoneration of Donovan Allen at this point.”

Police said the new DNA testing, performed by the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, provided “compelling evidence” linking Kitts to the killing. It was not immediately clear if Kitts had an attorney or, if so, who is representing him. He was being held without bail at the Cowlitz County Jail.

In a statement released by Innocence Project Northwest, Donovan was quoted as saying that he was relieved to hear of Kitts’ arrest.

“He has taken everything from me,” Allen said. “I lost my mother, then I lost my freedom and my family – this has destroyed so many lives.”

Cox, 49, was the sister of Kitts’ adoptive mother. Kitts was identified as a person of interest during the original investigation, Longview police said, but there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him.

Among the items Innocence Project Northwest wanted retested were scrapings from Cox’s fingernails, a cigarette butt, a gun, a phone cord, precise areas of the victim’s clothing, and hair found in Cox’s hand. Their request was granted by Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Marilyn Haan in June.

Blanchard said Kitts’ DNA was found on the collar area of Cox’s turtleneck sweater and on her shirt. According to a court document, a scientist with the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab said the amount of DNA found is not consistent with casual contact such as a hug.

In 2003, Kitts pleaded guilty to threatening to kill another person and was sentenced to 24 days in jail plus 48 hours of community service for felony harassment. In 2004, he was sentenced to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery, possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.